The best music-related biopics
Posted: Thu July 17, 2014 6:39 pm
I'm a total sucker for this genre of film. I'll basically watch any biographical movie about a musician. Never get sick of 'em, even though many are pretty bad. I'm curious to see how badly Jersey Boys was butchered by Clint Eastwood. Loved the musical, but it's hard to believe that Eastwood was the right guy for the job. I'm sure I'll enjoy it anyway. I have many favorites in this genre, but two continue to resonate with me. This may be because I had them on VHS as a kid and have watched both of them a kajillion times. Both of them have outstanding performances from the lead and supporting actors, fantastic soundtracks (performed with total conviction by the actors, rather than voiced over), excellent scripts and overall direction. And both films clock in near the two-hour mark, so there's some attempt at depth and exploration. Yeah, they're loose with the facts, but that's probably true for most biopics. If you haven't seen these films, you won't be disappointed.
The Buddy Holly Story. Busey just owns this character (he was nominated for an Oscar). Even though it was heavily criticized for historical inaccuracy, it sure makes for a fun movie, top to bottom. How can you not adore the opening scene, where Buddy casts aside the safe pop standards and rocks the s**t out of a roller rink. This is what revolution looks like, folks. Musical revolution, that is. But you really get the sense that an entire culture was about to change, led by troubadours like Holly and co. And what a great song to showcase here. Not one of Holly's greatest hits, but a song that simply rocks to its core.
Coal Miner's Daughter. Everything above applies here, too. Sissy Spacek won the Oscar for this portrayal, which really shows how Loretta Lynn went from a dirt-poor mother of four kids to a country music superstar. Tommy Lee Jones is equally good here. Can't find any scenes on YouTube, but this is such a great song -- from an equally great scene where Lynn's husband makes her get up and sing in front of a bar audience for the first time. She's nervous as hell, but the crowd loves her and she's invited back the next week. The rest, history.
How about you? What are your favorite musical biopics and why?
The Buddy Holly Story. Busey just owns this character (he was nominated for an Oscar). Even though it was heavily criticized for historical inaccuracy, it sure makes for a fun movie, top to bottom. How can you not adore the opening scene, where Buddy casts aside the safe pop standards and rocks the s**t out of a roller rink. This is what revolution looks like, folks. Musical revolution, that is. But you really get the sense that an entire culture was about to change, led by troubadours like Holly and co. And what a great song to showcase here. Not one of Holly's greatest hits, but a song that simply rocks to its core.
Coal Miner's Daughter. Everything above applies here, too. Sissy Spacek won the Oscar for this portrayal, which really shows how Loretta Lynn went from a dirt-poor mother of four kids to a country music superstar. Tommy Lee Jones is equally good here. Can't find any scenes on YouTube, but this is such a great song -- from an equally great scene where Lynn's husband makes her get up and sing in front of a bar audience for the first time. She's nervous as hell, but the crowd loves her and she's invited back the next week. The rest, history.
How about you? What are your favorite musical biopics and why?
